Re: Copywriting

From: rdominy@palantir.gsfc.nasa.gov (Robert Dominy)

Date: Thu, 08 Feb 1990 20:51:51 +0000

In article <90039.114604JJK106@PSUVM.BITNET> JJK106@psuvm.psu.edu (jeff
kochosky) writes:
>     I recently finished writing the rules for a game, and I wish to get
them
> copywritten so once I develop it for whatever means of play (either
computer
> or board), I can try to market it or sell it to a game company without
> worring about my idea being taken from me.  Does anyone have any
information
> about how I would go about copywriting the rules, or if that is even
possible.
Copyrighting your rules is very easy:  Just include a copyright notice
somewhere
at the beginning of your rules, such as:

where (C) should be the actual copyright symbol (a 'c' enclosed in a
circle). You can also register the copyright, which affords you some
recourse when a copyright is violated.

Copyright, however, doesn't actually protect a game company from stealing
your IDEAS. It does prevent them from copying (in whole or part) and
reproducing the text of your game rules.  You might consider patenting your
game.  This process is more difficult, but provides you with the kind of
protection you probably would really like (however you must have something really unique that makes your game patentable).

There are a number of books on methods for protecting intellectual
property, you should check them out at your bookstore or library.

-------------------------------
Robert Dominy
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center

References

Copywriting
JJK106@psuvm.psu.edu (jeff kochosky)
Thu, 08 Feb 1990 16:46:04 +0000

Referenced By

Copywriting
JJK106@psuvm.psu.edu (jeff kochosky)
Thu, 08 Feb 1990 16:46:04 +0000